INDIANAPOLIS — Though the Vikings’ most pressing need in the NFL draft is probably quarterback, the best player available with the team’s 12th pick might come from the line of scrimmage.

The defensive line class is brimming with talent that can dominate the first round, and the top offensive line prospects could be around by the time the Vikings select.

The Vikings need support on both sides.

Two starters from last year, defensive end Ray Edwards and defensive tackle Pat Williams, are free agents who likely won’t return. The once-stout run defense fell from second to ninth in league rankings.

The offensive line is aging with three starters 30 or older, which could prompt the Vikings to select a young tackle such as USC’s Tyron Smith or Boston College’s Anthony Castonzo.

But most mock drafts link a defensive end to the Vikings because of the depth of defensive line prospects.

Rob Rang with CBS Sports’ NFLDraftScout.com said this year’s crop has up to 14 players capable of a first-round grade, possibly the best group in the past 25 years.

“You should have some very good defensive lineman on the board at 12,” Rang said. “If you’re going to compete in this so-called black-and-blue division of football, you have to be able to be physical at the point of attack. As crazy as it sounds to say the Minnesota Vikings, who have been so strong at defensive line all these years, I think that’s got to be an area of concern.”

At least three defensive linemen — Clemson’s Da’Quan Bowers, Auburn’s Nick Fairley and Alabama’s Marcell Dareus — likely will be off the board before the Vikings select.

Texas AM’s Von Miller, an outside linebacker and pass rusher in the Clay Matthews mold, also is considered a top-10 pick.

But the second tier of linemen give the Vikings plenty of chances to upgrade, possibly starting with North Carolina defensive end Robert Quinn or Iowa defensive end Adrian Clayborn.

Kansas City general manager Scott Pioli says there are enough players to help every defensive line in the league.

“And really, some of those guys who have had their hand in the dirt, we haven’t seen them drop,” Pioli said. “This is a critical time to work those players out. Not that you’re going to know everything about them, but you’ve got to look at them, see what their physical skills are, whether it’s here or on campus. Then there’s always this other part that you can’t really tell until you see it whether he has the instincts and the spatial awareness as a coverage guy. But there’s guys who can do both things.”

Though the Vikings might be eyeing potential understudies for left tackle Bryant McKinnie, 31, and left guard Steve Hutchinson, 33, Rang rates the team’s defensive line as a more pressing need because of the importance of attacking the talented quarterbacks in the NFC North.

“When you have a player like Adrian Peterson, you can almost not have a great offensive line and get away with it,” Rang said. “You still have a pretty talented left side.”

Clayborn, a 6-foot-2, 281-pound end with a full array of rush moves, said Saturday that he hasn’t had a formal interview yet with the Vikings, but he’s intrigued.

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